Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-05-07
A BOLD,BAD BxkAk.

A impress Train Stopped Near Tucson,
Arisona, and the Express Messenger
Forced to Open tho Safe or Join the
Angels by the dynamite Route.
San FRAHUsoo, April 28.-One Of the
most audacious desperate and successful
train robberies that was ever recorded oc-
CURED yesterday on tho west bound over
land train on the Southern Poetic railroad
near Tucson, Arizone- A special dispatch
to the Evening Bulletin this evening from
| Tucson gives details as follows:
The western bound express due here at
1880 last ev ening was stopped and robbed
at PapaRO station, eighteen miles east of
here about $50 O'Clock last evening. The
number of men engaged in the robbery is
variously estimated from 6ve to eight.
Cal Harper, the engineer, when ap-
preaching Papago, side station, was sig
nailed BY red lantern to stop. He showed
down, and as he approached the light he
noticed distractions on the track 20 placed
that In case he failed to stop tho engine
would spread the track and derail itself.
Immediately on stopping q dozen or more
shots were tired into the express car
knd Q man with q pistol in each hand
boarded the locomotive and commanded
Harper not to get down. The other robbers
express car, and failing to get it open they
placed stick of 9iant powder under it and
compelled tho fireman to Eghs the fuse
attached. This he was obliged
to do, but to avoid being blown up the mes
senger opened the car and the robbers took
possession. After extinguishing the fuse
they took charge Of the car, uncoupled the
remainder of the train and made Harper get
on the engine and pull ahead two lengths.
This being DONE Harper was
again put OF and the robbers took charge of
the engine and pulled six miles toward Tue.
son. Here they killed the engine and left it.
the mail and express. but did not get more
than $500. They got two packages Of rail
and one Of $46o, and also two packages Of
postage stamps going to the postOfice at
San Francisco. It is reported that the mes
senger threw So, 500 in gold into stove and
30 saved it from the robbers. Nothing was
Known here of the affair until past mid
night, when telegram was received from
eight miles to that place. A SPECIAL was
sent down and the train brought in at 6
O'Clock this morning. None of the passen-
gers were molested. Some of them knew
nothing of the trouble until after their arrival
here. Under Sheriff Shiebell was at the
scene of trouble but could discover nothing
that would lead to the identity of the rob-
r. Shaw have left for tho scene of the
trouble. The robbers are believed
to be discharged railroad en-
ployes, although they compelled Engineer
Harper to show them how to handle the
locomotive. It is believed by their actions
in handling the train they were familiar with
such work. The company has offered q
reward Of 81 COO each for the arrest and con-
viction of the robbers, which is in addition
to q like reward offered By the Wells Fargo
express.
Additional facts were received in dispatches
to Wells, Fargo & Co. They were to the ef-
feet that the train was held up three miles
east Of Papago, in q cut. The mail was
robbed as we'll a. the express. No one
was injured by the shooting. When the news
was carried back to Pantano concerning the
robbery United States Marshal Mead, with
q deputy and two deputy sheriffs and two
others, started after the train. The locomo-
tive and cars were found at the whistling
post about one mile west Of Pa
pango. The engine was "dead." The
headlight was put out and
air brakes on. There was no trace of the
robbers. Marshal Mead sent for troops to
Fort Lowell and thirty.fve soldiers left
there at five O'Clock this morning to scour
the country. Officer Harris was expected to |
arrive soon and another party with Indian |
trailers is expected to arrive from Yuma to |
hunt for the robbers.